I have always wanted to own an Aston Martin. I have never driven one, I have never even seen one 'in the metal' so to speak, but I am sorely tempted to stetch to my absolute limit budget wise and look at used DB7s. I live in Australia,where even used models from 1997 to 2002 models sell from about $75000 to $99000. Are there any inherent problems with different year models, V8s as opposed to V12s. Wher do I start ? I'm only toying with the idea but would appreciate some guidance in the meantime.

Hello Colin, DB7's came with a 6 cylinder engine, or a V12, the latter being referred to as the DB7 Vantage. (I believe that there was a DB7 race car built with a V8). The best place to start researching the cars and to understand what to look out for when considering to enter ownership is the AMOC forum (Aston Martin Owners Club). If you visit the forum you need to enter the "Bloxham" section, where you will find a huge amount of detail, as well as a specific thread about buying one of these great cars. Another great place to look on the web is the site run by Tim Cottingham (who is also the AMOC Registrar of cars), astonmartins.com. This site gives a fabulous insight to all of the various models produced by Aston Martin over the last 99 years. As a regular visitor to the AMOC forum I have noted that there are a good number of contributors from Australia and you may find that there are AMOC members local to you who can point you in the right direction when it comes to finding a good car. Good luck with your search.

don't bother...get a jag and have the same problems...only cheaper to fix...

that was a little cruel Tony.....your starting to sound like me To the OP......i think you should be aware that both the straight 6 and the V12 DB7's are more expensive to maintain than the more modern Vantage V8 or DB9......enjoy the hunt

Not to judge or anything, but if you have to stretch to your absolute limit to purchase a DB7, chances are you will not be able to afford to run it.Next to the Vanquish, the DB7 is the most expensive car to maintain.Service every 6months (alternating minor/major service), at £650/£1200 respectively (perhaps cheaper in Oz? But if the purchase price is higher, perhaps too is the maintenance?

If the aircon compressor goes (as it commonly does on DB7s, like mine did....) it's a "whole dash out" job :-/Labour and materials was over £2k!!!

Window regulators, tyres, sensors, and more frustrating things.Other than that, they are lovely cars. Try go for the V12. It's a vast improvement over the I6.

But do expect to pay (keep allocated) considerable funds for its welfare.

don't bother...get a jag and have the same problems...only cheaper to fix...

that was a little cruel Tony.....your starting to sound like me To the OP......i think you should be aware that both the straight 6 and the V12 DB7's are more expensive to maintain than the more modern Vantage V8 or DB9......enjoy the hunt

Colin......the very best advise anybody can give you is to do lots and lots of research ...also you are far better paying a few extra $ for a car that has had money spent on it and a full service history .......I would go for the DB7 Vantage its a much more modern car.....i speak from experience having owned both the i6 and V12 DB7

Do a lot of research first. I studied all the ads for six months before going out and looking. Make a list of what your "ideal" car should be: 6 or V12, coupe or volante, manual or auto etc. But be prepared to compromise on spec as your ideal car may take years to come up if ever. Look on the AMOC web site.

that was a little cruel Tony.....your starting to sound like me To the OP......i think you should be aware that both the straight 6 and the V12 DB7's are more expensive to maintain than the more modern Vantage V8 or DB9......enjoy the hunt

Not sure how you arrive at this conclusion? On the one hand you seem to agree the i6 is a Jag in drag. Well if that is the case then the maintenance bill will be lower than any other because all the suspension and running gear is available at most aftermarket outlets like Europarts, Andrew Page, Unipart etc etc.Can you really get a bottom ball joint for a Gaydon car for £12 for example? And no nasty coils as on the V12s.Your view is opposite to the members forum.....

that was a little cruel Tony.....your starting to sound like me To the OP......i think you should be aware that both the straight 6 and the V12 DB7's are more expensive to maintain than the more modern Vantage V8 or DB9......enjoy the hunt

Not sure how you arrive at this conclusion? On the one hand you seem to agree the i6 is a Jag in drag. Well if that is the case then the maintenance bill will be lower than any other because all the suspension and running gear is available at most aftermarket outlets like Europarts, Andrew Page, Unipart etc etc.Can you really get a bottom ball joint for a Gaydon car for £12 for example? And no nasty coils as on the V12s.Your view is opposite to the members forum.....

I think you have my comments confused with Tony Hall.......i have never mentioned jags in drag.......I'm sure you would like to appologise for your stupid mistake......which is accepted

I'm sure you would like to appologise for your stupid mistake......which is accepted

Vintage 'Gould', simply vintage

I think the single biggest increase in running costs for a DB7 Vs Gaydon jalopy is the 6 monthly servicing interval. Common wisdom seems to suggest that annually is probably fine if you maintain it comprehensively during that 12 monthly service and don't do huge mileages. I did mine every 6 months, but that's me

Popular problems are the aircon systemn, coil packs (surely they've all been done by now?) ageing suspension and other things you'd associate with a car of that age not mass-produced by a robot in Germany. But they are lovely to drive, totally different experience to the XJS as you would expect as really they just share a basic floorpan, very heavily modified for the Seven. Sure, the window motors are the same, but the drive is very different. Different engine and handling characteristics, huge brakes, a wonderful noise and an enormous sense of wellbeing

And to add to Yeti's comment the v12 was a far better car mechanically .....the auto gearbox in the i6 was positively 1970's vintage......V12 Vantage goes like stink which is probably something to do with it has the same basic engine to the DB9 and even the new Vanquish......apart from the coil packs and a few minor issues its a great engine ....suspension bushes wear out every 3 years but not a big job

Guys, thank heaps for all the replies, but I think you've frightened me off buying one especially at the price I would have to pay in Australia. I thought I could buy one in England for about twenty three thousand pounds and by the time I ship it here it would cost about $50,000, still much, much cheaper than buying one here, but I am told by a good friend who is well versed in this area that I cannot import a car unless it is more than 30 years old.....I thought I was living in a free country country....it appears not. I could buy a pre 1989 model or live in England for a couple of years and bring the car with me. What a ridiculous law. I may have to complain to my local Federal Member....not that it will do any good.Welcome to the land of Milk and Honey unless you want to express free choice.

Guys, thank heaps for all the replies, but I think you've frightened me off buying one especially at the price I would have to pay in Australia. I thought I could buy one in England for about twenty three thousand pounds and by the time I ship it here it would cost about $50,000, still much, much cheaper than buying one here, but I am told by a good friend who is well versed in this area that I cannot import a car unless it is more than 30 years old.....I thought I was living in a free country country....it appears not. I could buy a pre 1989 model or live in England for a couple of years and bring the car with me. What a ridiculous law. I may have to complain to my local Federal Member....not that it will do any good.Welcome to the land of Milk and Honey unless you want to express free choice.

I dont think you are correct about the 30 year rule. Over the past year I have heard that a few Vanquish have been exported to Australia and New Zealand. In fact I have seen them advertised as ideal for export to there at the moment.

I think the single biggest increase in running costs for a DB7 Vs Gaydon jalopy is the 6 monthly servicing interval. Common wisdom seems to suggest that annually is probably fine if you maintain it comprehensively during that 12 monthly service and don't do huge mileages. I did mine every 6 months, but that's me

Mine will be every 12 months after discussing with various knowledgeable folk (including specialists). If it had a warranty then things would be different but with an annual mileage of below 3000, twelve month servicing is somewhat overkill for me.